The Long Term Outcomes of Rehabilitation and Drug Treatment for in Urgency Urinary Incontinence

Overview

* Urinary Urge Incontinence (UUI) is the involuntary urine loss associated with a strong sensation to void. * UUI usually associated with reduced bladder capacity. * The pathophysiology is unclear. * Pelvic floor muscle dysfunction and detrusor instability have been suggested as possible mechanisms. * Standard treatment includes anticholinergic medication and behavior modification. * The study aims to compare the long term effectiveness of 4 different approaches to the treatment of women with Urge Urinary Incontinence (UUI): 1. Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation (includes muscle training+behavioral intervention+bladder training) 2. Pelvic Floor muscle training alone 3. Bladder Training alone 4. Drug treatment with Tolterodine. * Study variables will include: impairment ratings, quality of life, and cost-effectiveness. * This study addresses three issues: 1. The long term efficacy and cost-effectiveness of the various treatment options. 2. To identify the factors involved in determining the effectiveness of drug or behavioral therapy. 3. The pathophysiology of UUI. By subdividing the rehabilitation group into 3 arms, we hope to shed light on the mechanism of dysfunction. A better response in one group will help localize the problem to pelvic floor muscles or to detrusor instability.

The study has 3 phases: Before treatment (phase I), immediately after 3 months of treatment (phase II), and 1 year post-entry (phase III) Women with UUI will be divided randomly into one of the four treatment groups. Every subject will participate in 4 visits. The drug group treatment consists of administration of tolterodine SR 4 mg daily for 3 months. Subjects who assigned to the pelvic floor rehabilitation, pelvic floor muscle training, and bladder training groups will be treated via 4 visits to a physical therapist, who is trained in the procedures. The chief researcher (RK) will be blinded to the treatment groups and will perform the outcome measures in all phases. Study variables will include impairment ratings, quality of life, and cost-effectiveness